how to install nvidia drivers in linux?

[S.D.Willie]

hi,

is their an easier way to install nvidia drivers than whats listed on nvidia's site??
im new to linux(mandrake 8.0) and have an asus v6600 pure geforce. any help is greatly apprecciated and please try to keep it as simple as possible. im not new to computers, just linux :)

SD

:confused:

[mcmanus69]

heh, this question has been answered so many times on LNO there should be an NHF for it!!

You can search around this board over the last week for spec. answers, but I'll give you my quick synopsis:

1.) install drivers through compiling the source (it's like the 1st or 2nd download on nVidia's page). Just follow their directions: make install in the NVIDIA_kernel directory and 'make' in the NVIDIA_GLX directory.

2.) add 'Load "glx" ' in XF86Config-4, and make sure that you change the driver from "nv" to "nvidia". Also double-check that your monitor frequencies are correct and set for a range of values, not just a specific value. And if you are using 1280x1024, change it to 1280x960. I don't think the nVidia driver supports 1280x1024.

3.) You should get an nVidia splash screen now, but GL games won't work. Using KDM (the KDE Login Manager) will somehow "break" the drivers. Use GDM. For Mandrake8 I did this by changing /etc/inittab 's last line to read:
x:5:respawn:/usr/bin/gdm

Whala! Tuxracer should now work!


<edit> I should also add that #3 is not entirely correct. KDM 'breaks' the drivers because of some permissions problems. There IS a way to fix it, although just using GDM is a bit easier.

[ 04 September 2001: Message edited by: mcmanus69 ]

[Dave's not here]

The easiest way to install the GeForce drivers is to install the RPM's. They are available on NVidia's site with installation instructions.

[S.D.Willie]

but why is it that im thinking that i wont have open gl or tux racer or UT wont even work from something as simple as installing an rpm file from nvidia. why are there so many other things to do such as edit files then???
just curious b4 i attempt any of this.

SD

[Excalibur]

If it does'nt work, try downloading both nvidia driver and nvidia kernel.
And read the readme file, then do make etc...

You probably gota do this:
1. Extract the driver, tar -zxvf <file>
2. cd the dir it made, (ls if you dont know what its name...)
3. ./configure and make
If everything is ok on the compile, then edit ("pico /etc/X11/XF86Setup") find "nv" in the file (Ctrl+W) then type in "nvidia" instead, check the readme file for more values to add.
4. Restart X ("logout" / Ctrl+Alt+Backspace)
5. Startx

If X does'nt return any error, then its ok ;)

[mentat_void]

LittleWhiteDog.com--HOWTO-install-nvidia-drivers-mandrake8.0 (http://www.littlewhitedog.com/reviews_other_00022.asp/)
Follow the directions just like this site says and you are good to go. I did and everything is working great-Except UT, which will not play in OpenGl. Anyone have advice on how to get UT to run in Opengl on a geforce? Sense nvidia uses its own opengl drivers, how can I get UT to use em? I have cross-posted in other UT-related posts here, so forgive my bad manners.

[S.D.Willie]

well the main reason i would be installing nvidia drivers IS for U.T.

mentat_void: thats a dead link nor did i see a how to section from checking out white dog's site.

SD

[lionel_hutz]

http://www.littlewhitedog.com/reviews_other_00022.asp

that should work SDwillie

BTW do you absolutely need the linux kernel-source 2.4.3 installed for the nvidia drivers to install properlly? I am haveing problems installing the kernel sorce package.